Promoting the Game

International success in credible, regular competitions, whether they are World Cups, Test Series, 4 Nations or whatever. That is what will make people take notice, not a match between two teams from the North of England, however fine the Rugby on show might be.

Like it or not, people are conditioned to judging 'Rugby' by international results, thanks to the RUWC and the Six Nations. Equally, Cricket's strength is judged by International results. Maybe only Football bucks the trend.

It's no use telling people things are different for RL - they won't care that the main strength of our game is in the club competition.

It's no use telling people things are different for RL - they won't care that the main strength of our game is in the club competition.

Entirely true and I think most people realise that on this board at least. But even here people are fixated by matches between the Big Three nations. These are obviously vitally important but the needs and requirements of the other nations are vital if Internationals and inadvertantly RL in general is to be taken seriously in the wider public arena. The World Cup this year is incredibly important with this as it showcases the other nations as well as the Big Three. But this MUST be backed up with a viable international programme across the board. For example:

1. Every Pacific nation should be playing on ANZAC day, not just Aus vs NZ.

2. The Home Nations AND France should play when England play the Exiles.

3. All teams bar the previous semi-finalists should qualify for World Cups.

4. Three match series between the likes of Russia vs Ukraine, Canada vs US, US vs Jamaica etc etc.

The list could go on but the international game is fundamentally the most important factor in increasing the game profile in the UK and across the rest of the league playing world.